SHE left Tyneside for Dubai a decade ago but never deserted her roots.

Today, Victoria Riddick’s dream came true, leading the cabin crew on the maiden flight from Newcastle to the desert destination.

And she was proud as punch to be the chief flight attendant on the first scheduled long-haul flight out of Newcastle this afternoon.

The 32-year-old was born and raised a few miles away from the airport in Ponteland, and spent a lot of time there throughout her early life.

Both her parents worked at the airport for many years – her mother, Jill, on the information desk, and her father, Grant, was the former director of operations at Newcastle.

Victoria could not resist a career in aviation herself and has worked as a flight attendant for airline Emirates for nearly 10 years, having risen to the position of purser, or cabin manager. But she has never flown out of her home city – until today.

She said: “I was so excited when I heard Emirates was coming to Newcastle.

“I put my name straight down for this flight. I wanted it more than anything.

“Both my parents worked at the airport for many years so I’ve always spent a lot of time there from when I was young.

“I can remember it before the extension, when it was tiny. It’s so much bigger now – it’s fabulous. I thought it was only a matter of time before someone like Emirates came to Newcastle.

“I feel really proud to be able to lead the cabin crew on the first flight out of my home town.”

Victoria is based in Dubai, where she also works part-time as a cabin crew instructor. She said Tynesiders are going to love the place.

She said: “At the moment it is very hot in Dubai, but wintertime is gorgeous, like a nice English summer day. The best months to go are between October and April, when the weather is fabulous.

“The place is amazing. The hotels are top quality and the service is brilliant. The bars and restaurants are great.

“You can do everything from riding camels to skiing at a giant indoor ski slope.”

Emirates UK regional manager Laurie Berryman said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how the introduction of this route has been met by the people of the North East”.